Hodgson happy with Chris Brunt as captain

Boss Roy Hodgson today insisted he won't be throwing the Baggies armband around.

Chris Brunt took over the captaincy when Scott Carson was axed by former boss Roberto Di Matteo and kept it after Hodgson's arrival.

And, despite Hodgson handing Carson a recall two games into his reign, the Hawthorns head coach sees no reason to hand over the captaincy.

"I think the captain of the team is an important person and it's very important to be captain, and if you're made captain it's a big honour," said Hodgson.

"But I don't feel the need, with Carson having been out of the team and coming back in, to suddenly switch the armband back over. I don't want that to be interpreted as not caring who the captain is, because I do think it is very important."

And, while he admitted he would have stuck with Carson as captain had the former England man been leading the side when he arrived, Hodgson admitted he is not a fan of goalkeeping skippers.

"I prefer an outfield player rather than a goalkeeper," he said.

"I don't know why but I suppose it's conventional and conservative because most of my captains down the years have been midfielders or defenders."